Department of Justice

Armed Robber Sentenced to 27 Years in Federal Prison

Tampa, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday today sentenced Patrick D. Cummings (43, Pinellas County) to 27 years in federal prison for interference with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. He pleaded guilty to the robbery count on July 26, 2017. Following a bench trial on November 28, 2017, Chief Judge Merryday found him guilty of the firearm offense.

According to court documents, at approximately 4:09 a.m. on March 24, 2017, Cummings entered a Walgreens in St. Petersburg. He pressed a black handgun against a cashier’s back, demanded all of the money from her register, and repeatedly threatened to shoot her. He then stole approximately $374 and fled. Investigators traced fingerprints left at the scene to Cummings.

This case was investigated by the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives as part of the St. Petersburg Violent Crime Reduction Initiative. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray.

This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.